The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World is probably the most popular symbol of New York. It stands on Liberty Island at the entrance of New York harbour. It’s over 305 feet high, (over 93 metres) it weighs 450.000 pounds, (about 205 tons) and its waist is 35 feet (over 10 metres) round.
In the statue there are 354 steps which lead to the crown; the crown has seven rays, which represent the seven continents, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. The tablet in its left hand bears the inscription July 4, 1776, the day in which the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence; and the torch in its right hand illuminates the way to freedom, symbolized by the broken chains and shackles of tyranny and oppression at its feet.
The Statue of Liberty was given to the people of the United States from the people of France to commemorate the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years it has welcomed millions of immigrants in search of the American Dream and has become a world symbol of freedom and democracy.
The Statue of Liberty was designed by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi and given to the USA on the centenary of the American Declaration of Independence. Bartholdi was assisted by the engineer Gustave Eiffel, famous for designing the homonymous tower in Paris, who was responsible for the metal framework inside the statue.
It was agreed that while France made the statue, America was responsible for the pedestal.